Writing a narrative with a compelling voice

English

'Alias Grace': forming opinions on characters

Emulating Atwood’s use of an untrustworthy character in ‘Alias Grace’

Conceptualising voice in fiction texts

Exploring unique narrative voices

‘The Yellow Wallpaper’: analysing character

'The Yellow Wallpaper': crafting voice

Exploring voice in ‘Klara and the Sun’

Emulating Ishiguro's use of an artificial voice in 'Klara and the Sun'

Comparing dystopian voices

Creating voice in our narratives

Planning outstanding narratives

In 'Fiction: Inner Musings', pupils develop narrative writing skills. In 'Writing Masters', pupils experiment using language and structure to write interesting and creative texts.

In 'Fiction: Books that Changed My World', pupils explore how authors use language for effect in their writing. In 'Fiction: Inner Musings', pupils develop focus on using author's language choices to make nuanced evaluations about a text.

In this unit, pupils explore and practise emulating a range of different narrative voices. They explore narrative voice in 'Alias Grace', 'The Yellow Wallpaper' and 'Klara and the sun' before crafting their own narrative voices. At the end of the unit, they write a narrative with a compelling voice.

Fiction: inner musings

Immoral behaviour or minor criminal offences, e.g. shoplifting, graffiti.

Depiction or discussion of upsetting content

Subjects which particular individuals may be sensitive to, eg, adoption, migration, bereavement or death, divorce, poverty, deprivation.

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Which of these might lead to someone feeling bedraggled?

incorporate as many different characters as possible.

maintain a consistent narrative voice throughout paragraphs.

When writing a short narrative, it is most important to …

describe the weather to add to the atmosphere

intersperse action with the narrator's inner monologue

What might be a clever way to delay the climax of your short story whilst maintaining voice?

'He’s not the most attentive, bless him.'

'He shows his love in unique ways, but I know it’s there.'

Which of these examples would represent a blunt and harsh voice?

the main voice of our narrative should be emotionally connected to the plot

the narrator's voice should always be true to the writer's own

What is true of narrative voice when writing a short story?

How can we manipulate time in a text to create an interesting short story?

What is register when thinking about writing?

'Call me clueless. Call me whatever you like.'

Which of the below contributes to a sensitive voice?

What might we want to do in a short narrative to keep it interesting?

What might we need to do in the exposition of a short narrative to ensure events develop in a believable way?

Starter Quiz